By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - The Justice Ministry intends to study and issue a report on a controversial provision in the Landlords and Tenants Law that will negate all rental contracts by the end of the decade, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

Based on the study, the ministry will submit recommendations on the draft law which is expected to take effect in 2010.

Article 5 of the Landlords and Tenants Law, which was passed by Parliament in 2000, stipulates that all property rent contracts will be null and void on December 31, 2010. The provision was intended to give tenants 10 years to look for alternatives.

The ministry has invited more than 90 public, private and academic institutions to take part in the study to gauge citizens’ opinions of the new law and their suggestions on just solutions for both tenants and landlords.

The bill gives landlords the authority to increase rents whenever they wish, while giving tenants two choices - either agreeing to the change or evacuating the premises.

There are many fears that the business sector will be hit hard if the law remains in its current form.

Some of the soon-to-be cancelled contracts include private and public schools, bakeries, grocery stores, pharmacies and light industries which may be forced to go out of business in 2011.

Lawyers and human rights activists foresee “social upheaval” and numerous lawsuits when the controversial provision goes into effect, but landlords argue that tenants have benefited long enough from low rent.

With rising prices and property values across the Kingdom, many claim the old rent is no longer enough to cover utilities.

His Majesty King Abdullah brought up the issue in his Speech from the Throne at the opening of the 15th Parliament last month.

“From this democratic forum, I call on the legislative and executive authorities to start a positive dialogue on the Landlords and Tenants Law to come up with practical solutions that take into consideration the realisation of social security, justice and the interests of all, whether they are landlords or tenants,” the King said in his speech.

In the speech, as on other occasions, the Monarch instructed authorities to work towards providing affordable housing for those with limited income, declaring 2008 as the “year of housing”.

Citizens can send their suggestions on the Landlords and Tenants Law via the ministry’s website www.moj.gov.jo, by fax at 06-4622164 or by hand to the ministry’s directorate of communication at the ministry ’s headquarters located at 3rd Circle.